| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| coeval |
coinciding in time of origin or existence; contemporary. |
| condign |
well-deserved or fitting, especially of punishment or reprimand. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| eruct |
to belch forth. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| incessant |
never stopping; constant. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| quadrant |
any of the four parts that result when an area is divided by two lines, real or imaginary, that intersect each other at right angles. |
| quondam |
having been in the past; former. |